( 1 ) THIS petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is directed against an order dated 10. 11. 2000 passed by learned ACMM rejecting petitioner s ap- plication for exemption from personal attendance during trial.

( 2 ) I have heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondent.

( 3 ) THE petitioner is facing trial under Section 420indian Penal Code read with Section 120 B indian Penal Code and Section 5 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1947 on the basis of a com- plaint filed by the Chief Deputy Controller of Imports and Exports, New Delhi. She was admitted to bail in the year 1993. The case is still at the stage of pre-charge evidence. The prosecution has cited 140 witnesses out of which only 24 have been ex- amined so far. As such it is manifestly clear that the Trial still has to go a long way before reaching its culmination.

( 4 ) LEARNED counsel for the petitioner submits that on 1. 9. 2000 when the case was fixed for pre-charge evidence the petitioner, who is a patient of Bronchial Asthma and rhd. Arthritis suddenly fell ill and as such could not appear before the Court. Her ap- plication seeking exemption wa